T-bar zipper tab handle

ABSTRACT

A handle for the apertured free end of the pull tab attached to the slider of a slide fastening device. The handle comprises an elongated body having a diametrically reduced midportion centrally intermediate its opposite ends and a rigid strap has one end thereof bent into a loop about the diametrically reduced mid-portion of the elongated member and the other end of the strap is bent into a loop passed through the apertured free end of the slider pull tab.

United States Patent 1 Bell [ 1March 13, 1973 T-BAR ZIPPER TAB HANDLE[75] Inventor: Harold Bell, Gloucester, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Might-Mac,lnc.

Gloucester, Mass.

[22] Filed: March 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 231,506

[52] U.S. Cl ..24/205.15 H, 294/1 A, 16/112 [51] Int. Cl. ..A44b 19/26[58] Field of Search...24/205.15 H; 16/112; 294/1 A, 294/15, 1 R; 74/543[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,418,482 4/1947 Robinsohn..24/205.l5 H 2,839,057 6/1958 Argyll ..24/205.l1 L 2,840,412 6/1958Lancaster ..24/205.15 H

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,428,507 1/1966 France ..24/205.l5 H

Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson [57]ABSTRACT A handle for the apertured free end of the pull tab attached tothe slider of a slide fastening device. The handle comprises anelongated body having a diametrically reduced midportion centrallyintermediate its opposite ends and a rigid strap has one end thereofbent into a loop about the diametrically reduced midportion of theelongated member and the other end of the strap is bent into a looppassed through the apertured free end of the slider pull tab.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures such that the handle may be swung relativeto the pull v tab and the handle, comprising an elongated body member,may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the pull tab. Inaddition, the manner in which the elongated handle is attached to theassociated slider pull tab is such to provide a pleasing if notattractive appearance.

The main object of this invention is to provide a readily engageablehandle for the pull tab of the slider of a slide fastening device suchas a zipper.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediatelypreceding object, is to provide a handle which may be readily attachedto substantially all zipper pull tabs.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a slide fastenerpull tab handle constructed in a manner whereby it may be readilygrasped, even by persons wearing gloves or mittens.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide fastener pull tabhandle in accordance with the preceding objects and which will comprisean attractive accessory for the associated garment.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a slide fastener pull tab handle in accordance with thepreceding objects which will conform to conventional forms ofmanufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to providea device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relativelytrouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully.

hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a garment provided with aslide fastener in the form of a zipper and with the pull tab of theslider of the zipper provided with a handle in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle; and

FIG. 3'is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing through the center of the slider and handle assembly illustratedin FIG. 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral generallydesignates a garment such as a jacket provided with a slide fastenerreferred to in general by the reference numeral 12. The slide fastener12 is in the form ofa zipper construction and includes a slider 14equipped with an elongated bridge 16 extending longitudinally of theslider 14. One end 18 of a panel-like pull tab 20 is anchored to thebridge 16 for pivotal movement of the pull tab 20 relative to thebridge. In addition, the other end of the pull tab 20 has an aperture 22formed therein.

The foregoing comprises a description of a conventional form of zipperconstruction.

The handle construction of the instant invention is referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 24 and includes an elongated bodymember 26 and an attaching strap 28 by which the body member 26 may beattached to the pull tab 20.

The body member 26 is cylindrical in configuration and includes adiametrically reduced cylindrical midportion 30 centrally intermediateits opposite ends. The body member 26 may be constructed of any suitablematerial such as a lightweight metal or plastic with a distinctivecolor.

The strap 28 comprises an elongated shape-retaining rigid strap 31having opposite terminal ends bent to form cylindrical loops 32 and 34.The loops 32 and 34 are substantially fully closed and the final closingof the loop 32 is accomplished after the latter has been engaged aboutthe mid-portion 30. With the loop 32 substantially closed about themid-portion 30, the body member 26 is journaled from the correspondingend of the strap 28 for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bodymember 26.

Likewise, the end of the strap 28 remote from the body member 26 has itscylindrical loop 34 passed through the aperture 22. Hereagain, the loop34 is loosely engaged with the apertured end of the pull tab 20 wherebythe strap 28 may be oscillated relative to the pull tab 20 about an axisgenerally paralleling the longitudinal axis of the body member 26.

As hereinbefore set forth, the body member 26 may be constructed of anysuitable and distinctively colored material. Also, the strap 28 may beof the same or different distinctive color.

The outside diameter of the loop 32 is substantially equivalent to theoutside diameter of the opposite end portions 36 and 38 of the bodymember 26 disposed on opposite sides of the diametrically reducedmid-portion 30. Accordingly, when the loop 32 is closed about themid-portion 30, the external surfaces of the loop 32 form extensions ofthe outer surface portions of the end portions 36 and 38.

Also, it will be noted that the substantially straight mid-portion 40 ofthe strap 28 is disposed tangent to the corresponding sides of the loops34 and therefore, as may be seen from FIG. 1 of the drawings, the mannerof attaching the body member 26 to the pull tab 20 by means of the strap28 presents a very pleasing and attractive appearance. I

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a slide fastening device of the type including aslider having an elongated panel-like pull tab pivotally secured at oneend to the slider for oscillation about an axis generally parallelingthe medial plane of the pull tab and extending transversely of said oneend of the pull tab and also transversely of the direction of intendedmovement of the pull tab, a handle construction for said pull tabincluding a single transversely extending elongated body member providedwith a diametrically reduced mid-portion centrally intermediate itsopposite ends, and a connecting strap having one end pivotally anchoredto said midportion and the other end pivotally anchored to the other endof said pull tab, said handle construction,

connecting strap, and pull tab being swingable in a common plane.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mid-portion is substantiallycylindrical in cross-section and said one end of said strap includesmeans for journaling said mid-portion therefrom.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said strap is constructed ofshape-retentive material and said means on said one end portion of saidstrap comprises a terminal end portion thereof bent to form asubstantially closed cylindrical loop in which said mid-portion isjournaled.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the opposite end portions of saidbody member are cylindrical.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the other end of said strap isalso bent to form a substantially closed cylindrical loop, said otherend of said pull tab having a transverse elongated aperture formedtherein, said loop on said other end of said strap being passed throughsaid aperture.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the central portion of said strapis substantially straight and is disposed tangent to corresponding sidesof said loops.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein the external diameter of the firstmentioned loop is substantially equal to the diameters of the oppositeend portions of said body member.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the other end of said strap isalso bent to form a substantially closed cylindrical loop, said otherend of said pull tab having a transverse elongated aperture formedtherein, said loop on said other end of said strap being passed throughsaid aperture, the central portion of said strap being substantiallystraight and disposed tangent to corresponding sides of said loop.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said elongated body member isconstructed of a rigid and lightweight material.

1. In combination, a slide fastening device of the type including aslider having an elongated panel-like pull tab pivotally secured at oneend to the slider for oscillation about an axis generally parallelingthe medial plane of the pull tab and extending transversely of said oneend of the pull tab and also transversely of the direction of intendedmovement of the pull tab, a handle construction for said pull tabincluding a single transversely extending elongated body member providedwith a diametrically reduced mid-portion centrally intermediate itsopposite ends, and a connecting strap having one end pivotally anchoredto said mid-portion and the other end pivotally anchored to the otherend of said pull tab, said handle construction, connecting strap, andpull tab being swingable in a common plane.
 1. In combination, a slidefastening device of the type including a slider having an elongatedpanel-like pull tab pivotally secured at one end to the slider foroscillation about an axis generally paralleling the medial plane of thepull tab and extending transversely of said one end of the pull tab andalso transversely of the direction of intended movement of the pull tab,a handle construction for said pull tab including a single transverselyextending elongated body member provided with a diametrically reducedmid-portion centrally intermediate its opposite ends, and a connectingstrap having one end pivotally anchored to said mid-portion and theother end pivotally anchored to the other end of said pull tab, saidhandle construction, connecting strap, and pull tab being swingable in acommon plane.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mid-portion issubstantially cylindrical in cross-section and said one end of saidstrap includes means for journaling said mid-portion therefrom.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said strap is constructed ofshApe-retentive material and said means on said one end portion of saidstrap comprises a terminal end portion thereof bent to form asubstantially closed cylindrical loop in which said mid-portion isjournaled.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the opposite endportions of said body member are cylindrical.
 5. The combination ofclaim 3 wherein the other end of said strap is also bent to form asubstantially closed cylindrical loop, said other end of said pull tabhaving a transverse elongated aperture formed therein, said loop on saidother end of said strap being passed through said aperture.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein the central portion of said strap issubstantially straight and is disposed tangent to corresponding sides ofsaid loops.
 7. The combination of claim 4 wherein the external diameterof the first mentioned loop is substantially equal to the diameters ofthe opposite end portions of said body member.
 8. The combination ofclaim 7 wherein the other end of said strap is also bent to form asubstantially closed cylindrical loop, said other end of said pull tabhaving a transverse elongated aperture formed therein, said loop on saidother end of said strap being passed through said aperture, the centralportion of said strap being substantially straight and disposed tangentto corresponding sides of said loop.